Letter: Precipitate action on Pill
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Dr Robert Donnelly
Sir: Your article covering the recent Committee on Safety of Medicines advice on certain combined oral contraceptives included a table of contraceptives ("Women still haunted by the risk factor", 20 October) which categorised products according to their safety yet failed to include Cilest.
The CSM advice was based on three new studies which indicate that combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and gestodene were associated with increased risk of thromboembolism compared to other progestogens. An annexe page attached to the CSM advice lists the seven brands affected by this new information and states that "No change in prescribing practice is required for any other combined oral contraceptive". Since Cilest has not been shown to present an increased risk of thromboembolism it should be included as an unrestricted product in your tables.
Yours faithfully,
Robert Donnelly
Medical Director
Janssen-Cilag
High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire
20 October
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments